Lock for sliding windows



Dec. 10, 1968 B, w ms LOCK FOR SLIDING WINDOWS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17, 1966 INVENTOR.

B. HAWKINS D L A N O D TTORNEYS Dec. 10, 1968 D. B. HAWKINS 3,415,560

LOOK FOR SLIDING WINDOWS Filed Aug. 17. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DONALD B. HAWKINS AT TOR N EYS United States Patent 3,415,560 LOCK FUR SLIDING WINDOWS Donald B. Hawkins, Oakland, Calif. (2233A Washington, P.O. Box 221, San Leandro, Calif. 94577) Filed Aug. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 572,979 8 Claims. (Cl. 292-252) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lock device for installation on a sliding casement window having a plurality of walls defining a passage. The passage has a minimum height adjacent the center thereof and a ball is disposed in the passage. When the device is installed, a spring urges the ball towards a surface of the window structure and upon relative movement between the portion of the structure on which the device is mounted and said surface, the ball becomes wedged in the passage, and further movement of the structure is prevented.

This invention generally relates to lock devices, and is more particularly directed towards a lock or stop mechanism for limiting movement of a sliding metal casement window or the like.

Present day construction frequently employs windows which are adapted to slide along a horizontal track in moving between an open and shut position. There is customarily provided a latch mechanism for locking the window in its fully closed position, but upon release of such latch, the window may be freely moved along its track. Thus, once the window has been opened to any extent, a person, even if outside the building, may readily completely open the Window, and thereby gain possibly wrongful access to the premises.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a lock device which may be readily incorporated in a sliding window structure for limiting the extent of opening of such window.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be positioned on a window structure in such manner that the amount of window travel or opening may be varied.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lock as above described which is economical to produce, and which in one embodiment may be operatively positioned on a Window structure at selected positions along the window track without requiring any tools, and without requiring any modification of such structure.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lock device of the foregoing type which may be used on both right and left hand opening windows, and which will lock tighter when a greater force is applied thereto.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a lock device of the general nature hereinabove referred to, which may be incorporated as a permanent part of the window structure, and which is nevertheless operable to lock the window in any position of the latter.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the lock device of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device in operative position on a window structure.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 3, but illustrating the position of the parts in their locking relationship.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but illustrating a modified arrangement for mounting the device on a window structure.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a. modified form of lock device.

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, but illustrating a release position of the parts.

FIGURE 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIGURES 6 to 8.

As here illustrated, particularly in FIGURES 1 through 5, the lock device of the present invention, generally designated by the numeral 12, is adapted to be selectively positioned on a track 13 for limiting the extent of sliding movement of a window 14 along the track. The window structure with which the lock is used is of conventional design, with the window 14 including a pane 16 mounted in a metal frame 17, and with the track 13 formed as an extrusion. With reference to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the track extrusion includes a horizontal base 18 having a pair of vertical flanges 19 at the opposed edges thereof. A short divider flange 21 extends from the base 18 medially of flanges 19 to define with the latter a pair of upwardly extending grooves 22. The grooves 22 define a track for the slidahle window 14, and in most instances a fixed window (not shown) will be provided and secured to the track 13 by screws or other relatively permanent fastening means.

The lock device 12 is preferably formed of sheet metal, and the construction presently to be described permits the same to be economically produced as a low cost stamping. As illustrated, the lock includes a first wall 26 of generally rectangular planar configuration, a pair of opposed parallel walls 27 and 28 extending normal to wall 26 and at the edges of the latter, and a wall 29 in generally opposed spaced relation to wall 26. As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, wall 29 has its greatest spacing from wall 26 at the central portion thereof, and then wall 29 tapers from its center towards each end of wall 26. Thus, the passage 31 defined by walls 26, 27, 28 and 29 has a minimum cross-sectional extent at each end, and a maximum size at the center, It will be noted that wall 27 is spaced from wall 26 to provide a slot 32, and to facilitate production of the devices, at the juncture of walls 27 and 29, slots 33 are provided extending in wardly form each end of the device. It is of course understood that by virtue of the roof-like appearance of wall 29 as seen in FIGURE 3, that opposed walls 27 and 28 may have generally planar edges confronting wall 26 but complementary shaped edges to and confronting wall 29.

A flat leaf spring 26 extends adjacent the inner surface of wall 29 and has end flanges 37 which are engaged in slots 38 at the ends of the wall. A ball 41 is disposed in the channel or passage 31, the diameter of the ball being larger than the size of the end openings of the channel so as to insure retention the ball therein. Spring 36 engages the ball, and normally urges the same against wall 26.

The foregoing device is operatively positioned on track 13 by positioning the slot 32 over flange 19 and urging the same downwardly. Flange 19 will engage the ball 41, and the latter will urge leaf spring 36 out of its normally planar condition towards wall 29. Thus, upon such installation, spring 36 now resiliently urges ball 41 against track flange 19, with wall 26 on the opposite surface of the flange, and the upper edge of the latter engaging wall 28.

J3 Since the flange 19 is continuous, the lock 12 may be placed at any desired location along the length thereof.

T effect the locking action, reference may be had to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawing. In FIGURE 3, the device 12 is shown on the track with an edge 43 of window 14 just about to make contact with one end of the lock. Movement of the window in the direction of the arrow of FIGURE 4 will result in a similar movement of the lock until the ball 41, which will roll relative to the movement of passage 31 will become wedged between flange 19 and wall 29 thereby effectively preventing further movement of the lock, and thus likewise restraining further window movement. By virtue of the double taper to the chamber 31, the lock is bi-directional and can be used for both left and right hand sliding windows. Obviously if a mere unidirectional lock would suflice, passage 31 could have a single tapered cross-section.

The greater the force tending to open the window 14, the greater the wedging action and the more secure the lock. A slight tap, however, will release the device and permit it to be removed or relocated upon another portion of track 13 if desired.

In some instances, it may be necessary or desirable to position the device generally outside of the track 13, as shown in FIGURE with the wall 26 positioned against the inner surface of the track flange 19, and ball 41 bearing against the outer surface of the latter. In this arrangement, the window edge 43 will engage one or the other of ears 47 extending from the respective ends of wall 26, and which are positioned across the track 13 when the lock device is mounted on flange 19 in the manner just described. The wedging action which results when the cars 47 are engaged and moved by the window is the same as that previously described.

In FIGURES 6 through 9 there is illustrated a modified form of lock device designed for attachment to the window itself, rather than as a separate detachable device which can be releasably supported along the window track. This form of lock device, designated at 50 in the drawings, is shown as relatively permanently affixed to the window or sliding vent 14 by means of screws 52 or the like. The window 14, as above explained, includes the pane 16 and frame 17, and is adapted to slide along the track 13 of a lower stationary frame section.

The device 50 is similar to the lock 12 previously de scribed, except that the wall 26 of the latter has been eliminated, so that the ball directly engages a portion of the window structure and is retained in place by the latter. More particularly, the instant device includes a pair of opposed parallel walls 52 and 53 and a wall 54 interconnecting longitudinally extending edges of the latter. The other longitudinal edges of walls 52 and 53 are generally coplanar, and wall 54 has its greatest spacing from the plane containing these latter edges at the central portion thereof and then tapers towards the ends of the walls whereby the passage 56 has a minimum cross-sectional extent at each end, and a maximum extent at its central portion. Extending at right angles to wall 52 is a mounting flange 57 by means of which the screws 51 may retain the device on the sliding window 14 with passage 56 opposed to the outer surface 58 of the track 13.

A leaf spring 61 extends along the inner surface of wall 54 and one end is provided with a flange 62 engaged in a slot at the end of such wall. A ball 63 is disposed in passage 56 defined by walls 52, 53, and 54 and track surface 58, the ball being larger than the size of the passage at the ends thereof. The spring 61 resiliently urges the ball against surface 58.

For purpose of explanation, it may be assumed that movement of window 14 to the right as seen in FIG- URE 7 closes the same, while contra movement results in an opening thereof. However, as will be understood, a reverse arrangement is also possible. If the spring were merely flat, as in the first described embodiment, it

would not be possible to open the window since the ball would wedge between wall 54 and track surface 58. In order to permit the use of the double taper to the passage, for accommodating right and left hand windows, spring 61 is provided with an offset portion 64 slightly to the left of center as viewed in the drawings. Thus, upon movement of the window to the right as in closing the window, the ball 63 will be moved along with the lock to the right and not perform any locking operation. However, if the window is moved towards the left, as in opening the same, the ball will roll along the passage 56, assuming the wedging position illustrated in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 7, and thus prevent further opening movement. In order to permit a person inside the window to deliberately open the same, a spring release is provided, so as to prevent the ball from performing its normal locking function. As illustrated, the end of spring 61 opposite to flange 62 extends beyond the end of walls 52, 53 and 5d, and terminates in a release tab 66. The spring intermediate offset portion 64 and tab 66 is normally flat so that the ball 63 will wedge upon window opening. However, upon pushing in on tab 66, the spring 61 will be resiliently deformed on the right hand side of the ball, thereby maintaining the ball in its central inoperative position, as shown in FIGURE 8. In such position, the window may be readily moved in both directions. Once the tab is released, the window may be moved to the right for closing the same, but cannot be moved to the left for further opening.

If the window is a left hand closing type, the spring 61 would be reversed, with the permanently offset portion 64 on the right side of ball 63.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a body having a plurality of walls defining a passage, said passage having a minimum height at one portion and a maximum height at another portion thereof, a ball disposed in said passage and having a diameter of a size intermediate said minimum and maximum height, means for mounting said device on the exterior of a window structure with said ball being disposed adjacent and engageable with a surface of the latter and adapted for wedging action in said passage upon relative movement of said device and said surface, and a flat leaf spring means in said passage resiliently urging said ball outwardly and against said window structure surface.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said body includes a pair of generally parallel walls extending between opposed edge portions of opposed walls having a varying spacing therebetween, and one of said pair of walls terminating in spaced relation to one of said opposed walls to define a window structure track receiving slot.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said leaf spring has its end portions secured to one of said opposed walls for resiliently urging said ball away from such wall and towards said window structure surface.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the maximum height of said passage is generally medially of the ends thereof and said passage height decreases substantially uniformly towards each end thereof, and said spring extends in general parallelism to said window structure surface.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which one of said opposed walls is provided with an ear extending generally normal to the plane thereof and in a contra direction to the other of said opposed walls.

6. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said leaf spring has a permanently offset portion engaging said ball and preventing movement of the latter towards one end of said passage while permitting movement towards the other end of said passage.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6 including means for releasably deforming said spring to engage said ball and preventing movement of the latter towards said other end of said passage.

8. A device of the character described comprising a body having a pair of longitudinally extending generally parallel walls having a longitudinal slot extending along the bottom thereof, a normally related bottom wall underlying said parallel walls and defining the bottom of said slot, a top wall sloping relative to said bottom wall, said slot being adapted to receive a window structure track in selected positions along the latter, a 'ball positioned between said bottom and top wall and adapted to engage one surface of said flange when said bottom wall engages the opposite surface thereof, said ball having a diameter intermediate the spacing at the maximum and minimum top and bottom wall spacing and adapted for 'wedging action in said passage.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1911 Dow 292-261 12/1912 Dempsey 292261 10/1915 Nobles 292-252 10/ 1949 Weagant 292261 11/1954 Paulussen 292-261 FOREIGN PATENTS 12/1895 Great Britain.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

